Australian gov issues grants for smart city development

The Australian government announced that it will commence its Smart Cities and Suburbs Programme in the first half of 2017.The Smart Cities and Suburbs Programme will aim to improve research, development and adoption of smart city technologies in Australia.

Through the programme, the Australian government will provide funding in the form of grants for implementation of research, development and testing of new smart city technologies.

The government plans to spend $50 million over the course of four years.

Under the programme, shortlisted Australian municipalities, research organisations, utilities and the private sector will receive grants ranging between $100,000 and $5 million to deploy smart technologies.

The smart city funding programme will be divided into phases with the first phase set to provide $10 million in funding.

Projects to secure funding during he first phase of the programme will be deployed through to June 2020.

Angus Taylor, assistant minister for Cities and Digital Transformation, said the Smart Cities and Suburbs Programme will fund projects such as deployment of energy efficient LED streetlights and will encourage collaborations between local governments and the industry, research and non-profit organisations.

Smart city funding

In mid-October, the US government announced that it will invest $165 million towards its White House Smart Cities Initiative for deployment of smart city technologies.

According to a press statement, the total of $165 million includes $65 million in public funding and $100 million in matching funds which are geared toward advanced transportation technologies. The funding is aimed at easing traffic congestion and improve driver and pedestrian safety.